European Observatory for Nanomaterials

Nano-enhanced industrial materials: Building the next European industrial revolution

The European Commission’s Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) has published a results pack that showcases 14 EU-funded projects that have made progress towards demonstrating how nano-enhanced advanced materials can be safely, sustainably and competitively launched into the industrial mainstream, providing new opportunities for European industrial production.

According to CORDIS, the global market for nanomaterials is estimated at around 11 million tonnes with a market value of EUR 20 billion and growing. The current direct employment in the nanomaterial sector is estimated between 300 000 and 400 000 in Europe. Whilst most of the sector is still dominated by materials that have been in use for decades, such as carbon black that is used for tires or synthetic amorphous silica used in applications such as tires, toothpaste and food powders, researchers have been constantly developing new nanomaterial-related applications, many of which are now ready for commercial use. But there are still barriers to overcome before European industry can take full advantage of the large-scale commercialisation of innovative, safe and sustainable nanomaterials. The CORDIS Results Pack focusses on 14 projects that have made clear and distinguished progress towards overcoming these barriers and demonstrating how nano-enhanced advanced materials can be safely, sustainably and competitively launched into the industrial mainstream.